Sarga 122

Verse 1

एतच्छ्रुत्वाशुभंवाक्यंराघवेणानुभाषितम् ।ततश्शुभतरंवाक्यंव्याजहारमहेश्वरः ।।।।

Hearing Rāghava’s gracious and auspicious reply, Maheśvara then spoke words even more auspicious.

Verse 2

पुष्कराक्ष महाबाहो महावक्ष परन्तप ।दिष्ट्याकृतमिदंकर्मत्वयाधर्मभृतांवर ।।।।

O lotus-eyed one—mighty-armed, broad-chested, subduer of foes—by good fortune this deed has been accomplished by you, best among uphold­ers of dharma.

Verse 3

दिष्ट्यासर्वस्यलोकस्यप्रवृद्धंदारुणंतमः ।अपावृत्तंत्वयासङ्ख्येरामरावणजंभयम् ।।।।

By good fortune, in the battle you have dispelled the fierce darkness that had grown over all the worlds—the fear born of Rāvaṇa (and the Rāma–Rāvaṇa conflict).

Verse 4

आश्वास्यभरतंदीनंकौसल्यां च यशस्विनीम् ।कैकेयीं च सुमित्रां च दृष्टवालक्ष्मणमातरम् ।।।।प्राप्यराज्यमयोध्यायांनन्दयित्वासुहृज्जनम् ।इक्ष्वाकूणांकुलेवंशंस्थापयित्वामहाबल ।।।।इष्टवातुरगमेधेनप्राप्यचानुत्तमंयशः ।ब्राह्मणेभ्योधनंदत्त्वात्रिदिवंगन्तुमर्हसि ।।।।

Comforting the sorrowing Bharata, and Kausalyā of noble fame, and also Kaikeyī and Sumitrā—Lakṣmaṇa’s mother—after seeing them all,

Verse 5

आश्वास्यभरतंदीनंकौसल्यां च यशस्विनीम् ।कैकेयीं च सुमित्रां च दृष्टवालक्ष्मणमातरम् ।।6.122.4।।प्राप्यराज्यमयोध्यायांनन्दयित्वासुहृज्जनम् ।इक्ष्वाकूणांकुलेवंशंस्थापयित्वामहाबल ।।6.122.5।।इष्टवातुरगमेधेनप्राप्यचानुत्तमंयशः ।ब्राह्मणेभ्योधनंदत्त्वात्रिदिवंगन्तुमर्हसि ।।6.122.6।।

Having attained sovereignty in Ayodhyā, gladdening friends and well-wishers, and firmly establishing the Ikṣvāku lineage in its royal tradition, O mighty-armed one,

Verse 6

आश्वास्यभरतंदीनंकौसल्यां च यशस्विनीम् ।कैकेयीं च सुमित्रां च दृष्टवालक्ष्मणमातरम् ।।6.122.4।।प्राप्यराज्यमयोध्यायांनन्दयित्वासुहृज्जनम् ।इक्ष्वाकूणांकुलेवंशंस्थापयित्वामहाबल ।।6.122.5।।इष्टवातुरगमेधेनप्राप्यचानुत्तमंयशः ।ब्राह्मणेभ्योधनंदत्त्वात्रिदिवंगन्तुमर्हसि ।।6.122.6।।

And having performed the Ragamedha sacrifice, attaining unsurpassed renown, and giving wealth to the brāhmaṇas, you will be worthy to depart to the heavenly worlds.

Verse 7

एषराजादशरथोविमानस्थःपितातव ।काकुत्स्थमानुषेलोकेगुरुस्तवमहायशाः ।।।।

O Kākutstha, here is King Daśaratha—your father—seated in the aerial car; in the human world he was your revered teacher, renowned and illustrious.

Verse 8

इन्द्रलोकंगतःश्रीमांस्त्वयापुत्रेणतारितः ।लक्ष्मणेनसहभ्रात्रात्वमेममभिवादय ।।।।

Freed (from his former burden) by you—his son—the glorious king has reached Indra’s world. With your brother Lakṣmaṇa, offer him your reverent salutations.

Verse 9

महदेववच्श्रुत्वाराघवःसहलक्ष्मणः ।लक्ष्मणेनसहभ्रात्राददर्शपितरंप्रभुः ।।।।

Hearing Mahādeva’s words, Rāghava—the lord—together with Lakṣmaṇa, beheld his father.

Verse 10

दीप्यमानंस्वयालक्ष्मविरजोऽम्भरधारिणम् ।लक्ष्मणेनसहभ्रात्राददर्शपितरंप्रभुः ।।।।

Then the Lord (Rāma), together with his brother Lakṣmaṇa, beheld his father—radiant with his own splendor and clad in spotless white garments.

Verse 11

हर्षेणमहताविष्टोविमनस्थोमहीपतिः ।प्राणैःप्रियतरंदृष्टवापुत्रंदशरथस्तदा ।।।।आरोप्याङ्केमहबाहुर्वरासनगतःप्रभुः ।बाहुभ्यांसम्परिष्वज्यततोवाक्यंसमाददे ।।।।

Then Daśaratha, the lordly king seated in the aerial car, was filled with immense joy on seeing his son, dearer to him than life itself. Seating the mighty-armed Rāma upon his lap, embracing him with both arms, he began to speak.

Verse 12

हर्षेणमहताविष्टोविमनस्थोमहीपतिः ।प्राणैःप्रियतरंदृष्टवापुत्रंदशरथस्तदा ।।6.122.11।।आरोप्याङ्केमहबाहुर्वरासनगतःप्रभुः ।बाहुभ्यांसम्परिष्वज्यततोवाक्यंसमाददे ।।6.122.12।।

This Southern Recension numbering repeats the preceding narrative: Daśaratha, seated in the aerial car, rejoiced to see Rāma, placed him on his lap, embraced him, and began to speak.

Verse 13

न मेस्वर्गोबहुमतस्सम्मानश्चसुरर्षभैः ।त्वयारामविहीनस्यसत्यंप्रतिशृणोमिते ।।।।

“For me, heaven itself held no value—nor did honors from the foremost among the gods—so long as I was deprived of you, Rāma. This is the truth; I pledge it to you.”

Verse 14

अद्यत्वांनिहतामित्रंदृष्टवासम्पूर्णमानसम् ।निस्तीर्णवनवासं च प्रीतिरासीत्परामम ।।।।

“Today, seeing you with your foes destroyed, your heart fulfilled, and your forest-exile completed, I am filled with the highest joy.”

Verse 15

कैकेय्यायानिचोक्तानिवाक्यानिवदतांवर ।तवप्रव्राजनार्थानिस्थितानिहृदयेमम ।।।।

“O best of speakers, those words that Kaikeyī spoke—intended to send you away into exile—still remain lodged in my heart.”

Verse 16

त्वांतुदृष्टवाकुशलिनंपरिष्वज्यसलक्ष्मणम् ।अद्यदुःखाद्विमुक्तोऽस्मिनीहारादिवभास्करः ।।।।

“But today—seeing you safe, and embracing you together with Lakṣmaṇa—I am freed from sorrow, like the sun released from a veil of mist.”

Verse 17

तारितोऽहंत्वयापुत्र सुपुत्रेणमहात्मना ।अष्टावक्रेणधर्मात्माकहोलोब्राह्मणोयथा ।।।।

“My son, I have been delivered by you—by a noble and great-souled son—just as the righteous brāhmaṇa Kahola was delivered by Aṣṭāvakra.”

Verse 18

इदानीं च विजानामियथासौम्य सुरेश्वरैः ।वधार्थंरावणस्येहविहितंपुरुषोत्तम ।।।।

“Only now do I understand, gentle one: you were ordained here by the lords of the gods for the purpose of slaying Rāvaṇa—O best among men.”

Verse 19

सिद्धार्थाखलुकौसल्यायात्वांराम गृहंगतम् ।वनान्निवृत्तंसंहृष्टाद्रक्ष्यतेशत्रुसूदनम् ।।।।

Rāma, when you have returned home from the forest—fulfilled in purpose and a destroyer of foes—Kausalyā will behold you with great joy.

Verse 20

सिद्धार्थाःखलुतेराम नरायेत्वांपुरींगतम् ।राज्येचावाभिषिक्तं च द्रक्ष्यन्तेवसुधाधिपम् ।।।।

Indeed, O Rāma, when people see you enter the city and be consecrated to the kingdom—as lord of the earth—they will deem your purpose fully achieved.

Verse 21

अनुरक्तेनबलिनाशुचिनाधर्मचारिणा ।इच्छेयंत्वामहंद्रष्टुंभरतेनसमागतम् ।।।।

I long to see you reunited with Bharata—devoted, strong, pure, and steadfast in the ways of dharma.

Verse 22

चतुर्दशसमास्सौम्यवनेनिर्यातितास्त्वया ।वसतासीतयासार्धंलक्ष्मणेन च धीमता ।।।।

O gentle one, fourteen years have been passed by you in the forest, dwelling together with Sītā and with wise Lakṣmaṇa.

Verse 23

निवृत्तवनवासोऽसिप्रतिज्ञापूरितात्वया ।रावणं च रणेहत्वादेवताःपरितोषिताः ।।।।

Your forest-exile has ended, and the vow has been fulfilled by you; having slain Rāvaṇa in battle, you have also satisfied the gods.

Verse 24

कृतंकर्मयशश्श्लाघ्यंप्राप्तंतेशत्रुसूदन ।भ्रातृभिःसहराज्यस्थोदीर्घमायुरवाप्नुहि ।।6.122.24।।

The deed has been done, worthy of fame, O slayer of foes. Established in the kingdom together with your brothers, attain a long life.

Verse 25

इतिब्रुवाणंराजानंरामःप्राञ्जलिरब्रवीत् ।कुरुप्रसादंधर्मज्ञकैकेय्याभरतस्य च ।।।।

As the king spoke thus, Rāma—with palms joined—replied: “O knower of dharma, show grace also toward Kaikeyī and toward Bharata.”

Verse 26

सपुत्रांत्वांत्यजामीतियदुक्ताकेकयीत्वया ।स शापःकेकयींघोरस्सपुत्रां न स्पृशेत्प्रभो ।।।।

O lord, since you once said to Kaikeyī, “I renounce you, along with your son,” may that dreadful curse not touch Kaikeyī, nor her son.

Verse 27

तथेति स महाराजोराममुक्त्वाकृताञ्जलिम् ।लक्ष्मणं च परिष्वज्यपुनर्वाक्यमुवाच ह ।।।।

“So be it,” said that great king; having spoken to Rāma who stood with joined palms, and embracing Lakṣmaṇa, he spoke again.

Verse 28

रामंशुश्रूषताभक्त्यावैदेह्यासहसीतया ।कृतमममहाप्रीतिःप्राप्तंधर्मफलं च ते ।।।।

By serving Rāma with devotion—together with Vaidehī Sītā—you have made me deeply glad; and through this service you have attained the rightful merit (the fruit of dharma).

Verse 29

धर्मंप्राप्स्यसिधर्मज्ञ यशश्चविपुलंभुवि ।रामेप्रसन्नेस्वर्गं च महिमानंतथोत्तमाम् ।।।।

O knower of dharma, you will attain dharma and broad fame upon the earth; and when Rāma is pleased, you will gain heaven as well, along with the highest glory.

Verse 30

रामंशुश्रूषभद्रंतेसुमित्रानन्दवर्धन ।रामस्सर्वस्यलोकस्यसुभेष्वभिरतःसदा ।।।।

Serve Rāma—may good be yours, O enhancer of Sumitrā’s joy. Rāma is ever engaged in what is auspicious for all the worlds.

Verse 31

एतेसेन्द्रास्त्रयोलोकास्सिद्धाश्चपरमर्षयः ।अभिगम्यमहात्मानमर्चन्तिपुरुषोत्तमम् ।।।।

These three worlds with Indra, along with the Siddhas and the supreme sages—approaching that great-souled Supreme Person—honor and worship him.

Verse 32

एतत्तदुक्तमव्यक्तमक्षरंब्रह्मनिर्मितम् ।देवानांहृदयंसौम्य गुह्यंरामःपरन्तप ।।।।

This is that very truth spoken of: Rāma—O gentle one, O tormentor of foes—is the unmanifest, the imperishable, fashioned by Brahmā; he is the secret, the very heart of the gods.

Verse 33

अवाप्तंधर्मचरणंयशश्चविपुलंत्वया ।एनंशुश्रूषताभक्त्यावैदेह्यासहसीतया ।।।।

Through devoted service to him—together with Vaidehī Sītā—you have attained the practice of dharma and great renown.

Verse 34

इत्युक्त्वालक्ष्मणंराजास्नुषांबद्धाञ्जलिंस्थिताम् ।पुत्रीत्याभाष्यमधुरंशनैरेनामुवाच ह ।।।।

Having thus spoken to Lakṣmaṇa, the king then addressed his daughter-in-law, who stood with joined palms; calling her “Daughter,” he spoke to her gently and sweetly.

Verse 35

कर्तव्यो न तुवैदेहीमन्युस्त्यागमिमंप्रति ।रामेणेत्वद्विशुध्यर्थंकृतमेतद्धितैषिणा ।।।।

O Vaidehī, you should not harbor resentment over this act of abandonment; Rāma, seeking your welfare, did this for the sake of establishing your purity.

Verse 36

सुदुष्करमिदंपुत्रितवचारित्रलक्षणम् ।कृतंयत्तेऽन्यनारीणांयशोह्यभिभविष्यति ।।।।

Daughter, what you have done—this mark of your character—is exceedingly difficult; indeed, your fame will surpass that of other women in times to come.

Verse 37

न त्वंकामंसमाधेयाभर्तृशुश्रूषणंप्रति ।अवश्यंतुमयावाच्यमेषतेदैवतंपरम् ।।।।

You need no prompting about devoted service to your husband; yet I must say this as instruction: for you, he (Rāma) is the highest divine authority.

Verse 38

इतिप्रतिसमादिश्यपुत्रौसीतां च राघवः ।इन्द्रलोकंविमानेनययौदशरथोज्वलन् ।।।।

Having thus instructed the two sons and Sītā, the radiant Daśaratha departed in the aerial car to Indra’s world.

Verse 39

विमानमास्थायमहानुभावःश्रिया च सम्हृष्टतन्नुर्नृपोत्तमः ।आमन्त्यपुत्रौसहसीतया च जगामदेवप्रवरस्यलोकम् ।।।।

The best of kings—majestic, prosperous, and filled with joy—mounted the aerial car; after taking leave of the two sons and of Sītā, he went to the realm of the foremost of the gods.